Changes in the works: one person, one vote; and ICE 2006--from 'big shoulders' to 'big easy'.

Although much work remains, the approval on first reading by the Board of Directors of Bylaws amendments to restructure the Board signifies a turning point in FSCT history. With adoption at second reading this November, the FSCT will give each of its members the right to vote directly for Board positions and also for Bylaws amendments that affect the members' rights and privileges in the FSCT. It is also significant that the Board passed the amendments by unanimous vote. Due to timing and in anticipation of approval, a Transitional Task Force was formed consisting of present Board members and the Bylaws Chair to develop appropriate plans and procedures for nomination and election of a new Board, and for revision of the FSCT Standing Rules. These tasks are well underway and the task force shortly will notify the FSCT membership of the mechanism for member-petitioned nomination of Board positions.

The recent change to an every other year ICE will find the 2006 event relocated from its venue in Chicago to New Orleans. This change was necessary due to the sudden unavailability of adequate exhibit space at McCormick Place and the immediate need to locate to another facility. The 2006 event is now scheduled for Wednesday to Friday, November 1-3, at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Although the show dates will miss Halloween, we apologize for any inconvenience that this rescheduling of ICE may have on families over the holiday period. Information on the ICE 2006 convention will be available shortly.

Please review the summary of the Board Meeting published in this issue for more information on the above items and additional FSCT activities.

Meanwhile, this year the FSCT initiated a new educational program, the Advancements in Coatings Series (ACSeries), which began in May with 64 persons registered for "Research Methods for the 21st Century," and continued in June with 139 persons attending "Nanotechnology in Coatings." The final 2005 ACSeries event will be held September 25-27, when the FSCT will sponsor, "Coating Wood and Wood Composites," in Charlotte. The FSCT is anticipating heavy attendance at this meeting and invite the readers to look for a preview of the programming in next month's COATINGSTECH.

In this month's issue we are very pleased to present two outstanding articles highlighting automotive coatings. Painted plastic components is the topic of Dr. Rose Ryntz's feature. (Dr. Ryntz, a well-known expert on the topic, will be the 2005 Mattiello Memorial Lecturer at the FSCT Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, November 7.) The second featured article examines the effects of acid rain on automobile coatings. Cynthia Challener's market update focuses on organic pigments. COATINGSTECH's analytical series continues with a look at the use of infrared spectroscopy.

Robert F. Ziegler

Executive Vice President